Valdes, Bobbitt lead UH to rout of Howard

Hawaii guard Aaron Valdes turned in the third triple-double in program history and Roderick Bobbitt poured in 31 points in the Rainbow Warrior basketball team’s 94-59 win over Howard today at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Valdes scored 14 of his 16 points in the first half, set a season high with 15 rebounds and dished out a career-best 11 assists in UH’s most lopsided win of the season.

Bobbitt, who had UH’s second triple-double last season against Hawaii Hilo, also set a career high with seven 3-pointers and went over 30 points for the third time in the past four games. Bobbitt shot 10-for-16 from the field and finished with six rebounds and three assists.

Guard Quincy Smith added a career-high 15 points on 7-for-11 shooting and the Rainbows completed nonconference play at 11-2. They open the Big West schedule Wednesday against Cal Poly.

Bobbitt tied his previous career high by hitting six of UH’s nine 3-pointers in the first half and the Rainbows took a 50-36 lead into the break.

All seven of Bobbitt’s field-goal attempts in the first half came from long range and he matched Howard guard James Daniel III — the nation’s leading scorer — with 20 points in the first 20 minutes.

UH hit four 3-pointers in a 20-2 run that Valdes punctuated with a breakaway reverse dunk to give the Rainbows a 30-10 lead.

Howard closed within 10 in the second half and trailed 55-45 when Daniel hit a 3-pointer with 15 minutes left, but UH pulled away again with a 17-3 burst.

Valdes picked up his 10th assist when Smith knocked down a 3-pointer with 9:12 left in the game.

Daniel entered the game averaging 29 points per game and finished with 29 today to lead the Bison (7-8).